Well, I\'ve been waiting to bet this one for a huge top the next time he ran... Wasn\'t expecting this lol.
Things I know:
- This horse\'s pattern is very resembling of Sarava, except with better spacing.
- He is by Bernardini and a Mr. Prospector mare (whose damsire was Royal Academy).
- Mott typically doesn\'t enter horses in G1s for fun.
- He\'s probably going to post no less than 50-1.
- Trip in the Tesio (that Kid Cruz won) was not ideal. 10 lengths back of a ridiculously slow pace (:50/1:16), was bottled up and stopped coming out of the turn, rallied for 2nd.
It will be difficult for some of us to avoid putting some sentimental money on this one, who would seem to be named for the late great John Matuszak.
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/08/09/two-for-toozday-pete-dexter-meets-john-matuszak/
Intense Holiday has no rider yet and no works since the Derby.
You would think Smith grabs that mount after JR bails for Ride On Curlin but he picks up Matuszak a few days later.I have a feeling IH isn\'t gonna make the race.
I\'m guessing those last two 59 and change bullet works for Matuszak convinced Mott to take a shot he wasn\'t even considering coming out of the Tesio.
This is somewhat confusing/interesting...Steve Haskin said he spoke to Mott before the Preakness(pertaining to Kid Cruz) and Mott stated that \"Matuzak is not much of a horse\"...not sure who the owners are, maybe they want seats for the big day??
My first inclination was that this was a Ria Antonia worthy decision. But I\'d take a shot if I were his connections.
A couple of real nice bullets in his last two works - especially since he seems to like coming from off the pace. More distance probably helps him.
Can\'t like how he does when faced with class, though. Not flattered by what Kid Cruz did while stepping up. It will take a real nice price to put him in the bottom of exotics - and he will get one.
Bump for race day. Do not leave this one off your horizontals.
I see he paired 5 1/2s last out. Well, if you consider he got stopped cold at the top of the stretch in that last race, I\'d be include to look at that more like a 4 1/2 - 5. Fully rested, Training like a beast, Has the pedigree, and possible the best out-of-town jockey for Belmont. If I could bet on any horse in the field running a fresh new significant top (ATLEAST 2 points), I\'d put the house on this one.
Fwiw, he\'s named after a family member of the owner, not the old Raiders great.
Don\'t agree with most of what you said but, for me, his appeal comes from his only race at 2. Obviously has talent. Hasn\'t quite put it together this year with limited starts. Not looking for big top today and haven\'t heard he training so brilliantly. I prefer Commissioner for the big jump up today.